Of Course They're Planning a "Beetlejuice" Reboot

Published at 2:41 PM EDT on Sep 6, 2011 | Updated at 2:46 PM EDT on May 30, 2012

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"Beetlejuice" is a movie with an original concept, filtered through the distinct eye of a director with a particular vision, and featuring superb comedic performances. Soooo....clearly someone needs to salvage this from the dustbins of history. right?

But ranting about the fact that Hollywood has become a Human Centipede feasting on its own refuse is almost as tired and boring as reboots themselves, so why bother?

Instead, let's just say that writer Seth Grahame-Smith, who made a name for himself basically copying old novels and adding zombies ("Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" is his "baby") has reportedly struck a deal to revamp the Michael Keaton/Tim Burton horror comedy. Grahame-Smith is currently working with Burton on the director's adaptation of the vampire soap opera "Dark Shadows."

The original movie, of course, starred Keaton as a "bio-exorcist," a ghoui who helps a recently-deceased couple (Geena Davis and a skinny Alec Baldwin) rid their beloved home of a family of New York hipsters (Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones, Winona Ryder). It's weird, it's funny, and it was unique. These three things will likely not be said of the new version. Especially when they cast Nick Swardson as Beetlejuice.

The movie takes place in an undefined town during a generally undefined era and features very little technology and no pop culture references. We bet if you showed this 1988 film to kids now, they wouldn't feel "lost." Just sayin'.Although there is a danger of them asking, "Hey, this stuff looks real and tangible. Didn't they have flat, lifeless CG animation back then?"

Oh, and if you're thinking about "updating" the Beetlejuice look....Psst...somebody already has: